As we approach the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year, FACES students at Hoover and Crawford High Schools have been actively engaged in a variety of enriching activities, including field trips and guest speaker events. In February, our 10th-grade students embarked on a day-long excursion to tour two local colleges, San Diego State University and Point Loma Nazarene University. This opportunity allowed students to compare and contrast the offerings of private versus public institutions, while also providing a platform for them to inquire about various academic programs.
In March, our 11th-grade class ventured to Los Angeles for a tour of the University of Southern California (USC) and California State University, Dominguez Hills. Students woke up bright and early to depart at 5:30am. They learned about college majors and student life while admiring the unique architecture of the school buildings. These tours gave students the chance to observe the distinctions between a large university and a smaller college setting.
FACES students at Crawford explored PLNU College of Health Sciences at their Balboa Regional Center campus. With four rotations full of hands-on activities, they got a first glance at careers in Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Biomechanics, and Physician Assistant. Students left feeling inspired to study exercise science, sports medicine, and kinesiology.
Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce a new workshop called “Food Is Medicine,” scheduled for mid-April. In partnership with Hoover High School’s culinary arts teacher, Chef Luu, this workshop aims to educate students about the impact of diet on physical and mental health. During the workshop, students will prepare a healthy snack and receive ingredients to replicate the snack at home. We will also be focusing on the importance of farm-to-table nutrition, which will be further demonstrated through the school’s on-campus garden, which is tended to by the students.
The 12th graders recently wrapped up clinical rotations at Rady Children’s Hospital and are preparing to graduate and go on to college in two short months. In addition to the clinical rotations, seniors in FACES have completed Narcan and Stop-the-Bleed training. They have also learned about Social Determinants of health, CNA career paths, Fire Search and Rescue career paths, and EMT/Paramedic career paths. In the next two months, FACES seniors will learn about financial literacy, visit UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy, and complete their senior posters for their FACES graduation showcase. We are so proud of how far our students have come, and we are excited for their next steps. As coordinators, we hope that our students’ experiences from the FACES program provided them clarity, great memories, and valuable lessons that support them in their future endeavors. We wish them all much success!
– Joycelin Chou, Crawford HS Program Coordinator
Nikki Lopez, Hoover HS Program Coordinator
Shadeh Rassoulkhani, Hoover HS Program Coordinator
